US Patent 10329677 Method for electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide

A method of electrochemically reducing CO2 to form at least one alcohol, preferably ethanol. The method includes (a) contacting an electrode system with an aqueous solution comprising at least one electrolyte and CO2, wherein the electrode system comprises a working electrode, a counter electrode, and a reference electrode, wherein the working electrode comprises a base electrode and a coating of a composite comprising graphene nanosheets and Cu2O nanoparticles disposed on a surface of the base electrode, and (b) applying a negative potential to the working electrode to reduce the CO2 and form the at least one alcohol.